A FAMILY-OWNED chemical firm aims to strengthen its market standing with a new product.

Thomas Swan and Co Limited hopes to bolster its presence in the ultra-light carbon material sector after revealing a graphene creation designed to improve industrial coatings.

Graphene is applauded by experts who say the substance is overtly tough and can conduct electricity, toughen plastics and cut friction in lubricants, despite being as thin as a human hair.

Thomas Swan, based in Consett, County Durham, previously scaled up its Elicarb graphene plant to make more of the material and says its latest development will help customers’ improve coating systems.

Clive O’Leary, business director in its performance chemicals division, said the business had listened to clients’ needs.

Last week, the business revealed a new deal to increase its presence in North America.

Thomas Swan and Co Limited has finalised an agreement to represent Robinson Brothers’ Robac Technology brand across the US and Canada.

The company was founded in the 1920s when Tommy Swan set up mixing plants at Consett’s Crookhall works.

In its infancy, the business was known for converting steel industry slag waste into road surfacing material.

However, when road builders changed from using tar as a binder to bitumen on roads, it created a surfactant, which became its first chemical product.

Its expertise now includes tyre and rubber additives, while it also supplies an active ingredient in cleaning agent Dettol.